Expanded roles have been unveiled for three of Riviera Travel’s trade team.
Vicky Billing has been promoted to head of trade and partnerships UK & Ireland, with responsibility for trade business alongside her current partnerships remit.
Riviera last week announced the re-opening of its European river cruise and select touring programmes to the Irish market, with Billing responsible for driving trade relationships and sales.
She is now bolstering her team to help support ambitions in both the UK and Ireland, and is recruiting for a key account manager as well as looking to strengthen the trade contact centre.
In other changes, former head of trade Tom Morgan has been named head of international sales by the river cruise and escorted touring specialist.
Stu Milan will head the team in a new role as trading director. He will continue to oversee the trade, international and group functions, in addition to having overall responsibility for revenue management and agent activity across the business.
The trade team will be 15-strong in 2024.
The expansion came as Riviera revealed that trade activity is up 110% year-on-year, making it the fastest-growing area of the business.
Chief executive Phil Hullah said: “These are very exciting times for our trade team as we further enhance our strategy and activity across the UK, Ireland and overseas.
“With Stu, Tom and Vicky in place in their expanded roles, we have every confidence we will meet and exceed our agent-friendly growth plans.
“Stu is the ideal leader and his oversight will ensure our trade delivery continues apace, while Tom’s wealth of experience means he is perfectly placed to head up our international aspirations.
“Vicky has made a very favourable impression in a short time and will continue the excellent progress we have made under Tom.
“The trade remains a key focus and we look forward to our agent business further going from strength-to-strength under their direction.”